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ANNOUNCEMENT: coding course for the blind from APH (self.Blind)
submitted by zersiax
I have asked the mods for their approval for this announcement beforehand and am sharing it here, as I think it may be useful for some.
Disclaimer: I teach this class and am sharing it's official announcement written by APH. so feel free to ask questions and I will be happy to answer to the best of my ability. What I don't know, I can probably find out.
Here's the announcement in full:
Thanks to a generous grant from CDW, The American Printing House for the Blind (APH) is proud to offer introductory coding courses for blind and low vision college students and adults.
These courses are designed to familiarize blind and low vision students with basic coding tools, challenges navigating these tools with assistive technology such as screen readers, and techniques for navigating those challenges.
Join Florian Beijers, a blind developer, as he guides students through coding basics. Content covered will include HTML, ARIA, and Python. Students will be introduced to VS Code and GitHub coding tools.
This is the first in a series of four courses. This first course takes place the first four Tuesdays in March, March 1, 8, 15, and 22, from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM Eastern, but all sessions will be recorded and available soon after the live class for those who cannot attend at the scheduled time.
## Prerequisites
* At least intermediate familiarity with a screen reader with speech and/or braille, or intermediate familiarity with a screen magnification program.
* Ability to use the internet to accomplish tasks such as searching for and reading information, completing forms, and using keyboard shortcuts to navigate, read, and edit.
* Ability to follow written instructions to independently download and install programs and extensions.
* Willingness to participate in the entire course consisting of 4 weekly sessions; each session will last 90 minutes.
* Willingness to spend at least two hours per week on review and homework.
## Lesson Plan Goal:
Introduce students to multiple coding modalities and how to navigate barriers encountered.
Learning Objectives:
1. Identify three tips for building resilience and preparing to enter the software development field.
2. Demonstrate a basic understanding of four core programming concepts
3. Differentiate three basic tools coders use in software and web development(HTML, Visual Studio Code, and GitHub) and how each is used.
4. Explain three barriers blind and low vision coders sometimes face using these coding tools with screen readers, screen magnification, and Braille displays.
5. Practice three techniques blind coders have used to address these challenges.
Materials Needed: Computer with Internet access; screenreader with speech output or Braille display and/or screen magnification
Register for the course at $1.
Disclaimer: I teach this class and am sharing it's official announcement written by APH. so feel free to ask questions and I will be happy to answer to the best of my ability. What I don't know, I can probably find out.
Here's the announcement in full:
Thanks to a generous grant from CDW, The American Printing House for the Blind (APH) is proud to offer introductory coding courses for blind and low vision college students and adults.
These courses are designed to familiarize blind and low vision students with basic coding tools, challenges navigating these tools with assistive technology such as screen readers, and techniques for navigating those challenges.
Join Florian Beijers, a blind developer, as he guides students through coding basics. Content covered will include HTML, ARIA, and Python. Students will be introduced to VS Code and GitHub coding tools.
This is the first in a series of four courses. This first course takes place the first four Tuesdays in March, March 1, 8, 15, and 22, from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM Eastern, but all sessions will be recorded and available soon after the live class for those who cannot attend at the scheduled time.
## Prerequisites
* At least intermediate familiarity with a screen reader with speech and/or braille, or intermediate familiarity with a screen magnification program.
* Ability to use the internet to accomplish tasks such as searching for and reading information, completing forms, and using keyboard shortcuts to navigate, read, and edit.
* Ability to follow written instructions to independently download and install programs and extensions.
* Willingness to participate in the entire course consisting of 4 weekly sessions; each session will last 90 minutes.
* Willingness to spend at least two hours per week on review and homework.
## Lesson Plan Goal:
Introduce students to multiple coding modalities and how to navigate barriers encountered.
Learning Objectives:
1. Identify three tips for building resilience and preparing to enter the software development field.
2. Demonstrate a basic understanding of four core programming concepts
3. Differentiate three basic tools coders use in software and web development(HTML, Visual Studio Code, and GitHub) and how each is used.
4. Explain three barriers blind and low vision coders sometimes face using these coding tools with screen readers, screen magnification, and Braille displays.
5. Practice three techniques blind coders have used to address these challenges.
Materials Needed: Computer with Internet access; screenreader with speech output or Braille display and/or screen magnification
Register for the course at $1.
je97 8 points 1y ago
Is this open to people outside America? I'm British and interested.
zersiax [OP] 5 points 1y ago
I myself an in Europe so I'd think so? Give registering a try and if it works, you're all good :)
Marconius 6 points 1y ago
I'm assuming this will be platform agnostic? Teaching for both Mac and Windows? Looks like git is part of the training which is great, but will there be a basic Terminal/command line section added in?
zersiax [OP] 6 points 1y ago
The content will be Windows-centered, but a lot of the tools work on either OS and we're not going into screen reader specifics a huge deal unless something outright doesn't work well with one or another particular screen reader.
Definitely NVDA/JAWS first, VoiceOver second though, so keep that in mind when setting your expectations.
As for the commandline, yes, we will go into the basics of using the commandline, just enough to proficiently use git, with resources offered to people who'd like to learn more on their own.
There's always going to be time for questions throughout each session, so that will be the time to bring up things that may not 100% fit into the objectives listed here.
Definitely NVDA/JAWS first, VoiceOver second though, so keep that in mind when setting your expectations.
As for the commandline, yes, we will go into the basics of using the commandline, just enough to proficiently use git, with resources offered to people who'd like to learn more on their own.
There's always going to be time for questions throughout each session, so that will be the time to bring up things that may not 100% fit into the objectives listed here.
Marconius 1 points 1y ago
Gotcha. What will be covered in the Python portion of the course? Just basic concepts or will there also be a dynamic web rendering side to tie it in with the web-based aim of the course?
zersiax [OP] 3 points 1y ago
Mostly basic stuff at first. Towards the end of the second course, there will be a kind of " where to go from here?" portion where more advanced use cases like that are mentioned and where to go for learning more about them, and there are more advanced courses in the works that may very well cover those use cases more in-depth.
Marconius 1 points 1y ago
Understood. I'm definitely interested in the more advanced topics concerning dynamic web rendering. I'm already doing some of that with JavaScript and am already coding my own games and apps using Python, but haven't found a decent course for flask, django, or any other methods for bridging the gap between Python knowledge and making it work on the web.
Bodybuilder-Unusual 2 points 1y ago
This is Leanne Grillot, the National Outreach Services Director from APH. This is a legitimate course offering from APH.
devinprater 2 points 1y ago
Entering this thread, I was like "Oh dear God let it not be Quorum." Not seeking to start anything about Quorum per se, but I am so glad we'll be learning marketable skills. I'll definitely join, but due to $dayjob I may not be able to attend live.
zersiax [OP] 1 points 1y ago
Understandable :) I think Quorum served a purpose in its time, but is currently a little bit too much training wheels than I personally am comfortable dealing with, hence the focus on Python and HTML instead :)
changeneverhappens 2 points 1y ago
Awesome! I've been running code jumper with a handful of students. I'll pass this along to them
[deleted] 2 points 1y ago
Can I teach it in my classroom to students?
zersiax [OP] 2 points 1y ago
Given it's a live webinar that runs for several sessions taught by a teacher in front of a live audience I'm not entirely sure how you would manage that? Your students can certainly apply if they meet the requirements if that's what you mean?
Kelashara 1 points 1y ago
How can I join this class?
zersiax [OP] 1 points 1y ago
Click the link in the post and fill in the form. That's all there is to it.
a3dollabil 1 points 1y ago
Brilliant.
JMMSpartan91 1 points 1y ago
Do we still register if we will be following the recorded videos?
zersiax [OP] 1 points 1y ago
I'd highly recommend to do so, yes. That way it'll be easier for us to share links to resources, preparation instructions for next sessions etc. :)
gay_catgirl 1 points 1y ago
I'm trans but haven't been able to legally change my name yet so for this course, can I use my preferred name or do I have to use my deadname?
zersiax [OP] 3 points 1y ago
Please use the name you are most comfortable with. I would not want to accidentally deadname you. I believe you are able to enter a name when you log into the Zoom as well, it might be a good idea to add your preferred pronouns in that field as well. I take this kind of thing very seriously :)
Dantesmansion 1 points 1y ago
This sounds great! I just registered.
Quick question though,
So my studies are in audio production and sound design. However, I come across a lot of hardware and software that just isn't accessible. So selfishly, I want to make it accessible.
​
What would be the branch of development that would involve making software accessible?
Quick question though,
So my studies are in audio production and sound design. However, I come across a lot of hardware and software that just isn't accessible. So selfishly, I want to make it accessible.
​
What would be the branch of development that would involve making software accessible?
zersiax [OP] 3 points 1y ago
Good question :) The answer, as always, is that it depends :)
Software that is open-source, which essentially means it's developed out in the open, will likely welcome contributions to make their software more accessible. In our first few sessions we'll cover Git and Github which will be invaluable topics to know about. In that sense, it could be web development if the product is a web app, mobile development if it's a phone app etc.
However, if the program is not developed in this way, you're left with two options:
​
\- You get a job at the company in question, in which case what I just said still applies;
\- You program the screen reader to handle the app in question better, rather than the app. That's where JAWS scripting and NVDA addon development comes in.
​
One of the languages we will be covering, Python, is the language NVDA addons are written in. So while we don't directly cover this, we do equip a learner to pick that skill up should they want to. Does that answer your question?
Software that is open-source, which essentially means it's developed out in the open, will likely welcome contributions to make their software more accessible. In our first few sessions we'll cover Git and Github which will be invaluable topics to know about. In that sense, it could be web development if the product is a web app, mobile development if it's a phone app etc.
However, if the program is not developed in this way, you're left with two options:
​
\- You get a job at the company in question, in which case what I just said still applies;
\- You program the screen reader to handle the app in question better, rather than the app. That's where JAWS scripting and NVDA addon development comes in.
​
One of the languages we will be covering, Python, is the language NVDA addons are written in. So while we don't directly cover this, we do equip a learner to pick that skill up should they want to. Does that answer your question?
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